Carton setup machine



Feb. 1, 1955 c. s. JORDAN 2,700,922

CARTON SETUP MACHINE Filed Sept. 18, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet l INYENTOR.640125 5 daraazz,

BY W WW0 Feb. 1, 1955 c. 5. JORDAN CARTON SETUP MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Sept. 18, 1952 1i| Ill-IIIIIIFIII Nmw mi E I V0 mJ Feb. 1, 1955 c.5. JORDAN 00,922

CARTON SETUP MACHINE Filed Sept. 18, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.Cuff/5 5 Jordan,

Feb. 1, 1955 c. s. JORDAN CARTON SETUP MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledSept. 18, 1952 WHY NQ km Feb. 1, 1955 c. s. JORDAN CARTON SETUP MACHINE6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 18. 1952 INVENTOR. claim 5 Jordan BY Mr-[/W Feb. 1, 1955 C. 5. JORDAN 2,700,922

CARTON SETUP MACHINE Filed Sept. 18, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TOR.

cwzz a Jordan, BY

United States Patent CARTON SETUP MACHINE Curtis S. Jordan, Maywood,Califl, assignor to General Package Corporation, a corporation ofDelaware Application September 18, 1952, Serial No. 310,321 12 Claims.(Cl. 93--37) This invention relates to a machine for setting uppaperboard cartons and is more particularly concerned with improvementsin a machine for setting up egg cartons of the type which is illustratedin the patent to Troyk No. 1,783,397 dated December 2, 1930, for CushionCartons.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved cartonset-up machine which is adapted to feed successive collapsed cartonsfrom a magazine and set-up the same rapidly and efiiciently, with theindividual cartons being transferred from the machine, when set up, to adelivery mechanism, without damage to the foldable wall and partitionmembers of the carton.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a machine forerecting or setting up cartons of the type which are formed from asingle blank and which are characterized by integrally connected sideand bottom walls and integrally connected cross partition formationswhich are foldable in two directions relative to the side walls to whichthey are joined, and into an upright position relative to the bottomwall, with portions of the partions being engaged in apertures providedin the bottom wall, the bottom wall being partially folded upon itselfto form a longitudinal central partition in the carton, and the crosspartitions being interlocked with said longitudinal partition formation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a carton set-upmachine comprising a stack or magazine for receiving a plurality of thecartons in collapsed knocked-down condition, in combination with feedmech anism for feeding the lower-most carton forwardly of the stack andinto position for operation thereon by a plurality of set-upinstrumentalities which include a reciprocating partition set-up head onwhich the body of the carton is supported while it is being set-up, anda serie of oscillating arms operable on the bottom and side walls of thecarton to move them into position for receiving the cross-partitionmembers which are simultaneously moved into bottom engaging relation byoperation of suitable folding plates on the set-up head.

It is a still more specific object of the invention to provide set-upmechanism for erecting containers of the type described which comprisesa supporting frame having a top surface at one end of which there ismounted a magazine for receiving a stack of the containers in partiallyfolded, collapsed condition, a feed mechanism for delivering successivecontainers from the magazine and advancing them along the top surface ofthe supporting frame to a plurality of wall erecting instrumentalities,a container supporting head mounted for reciprocation, above the topsurface of the supporting frame, between the magazine and the wallerecting instrumentalities, the head being adapted to advance into aforward position to receive the successive containers as the side wallsthereof are erected and having cross partition folding mem bersautomatically operable upon forward movement of the head to engage thecontainer cross partitions and move the same into position forinterlocking engagement with the container walls, and mechanism forremoving the erected containers from the head and advancing themforwardly therefrom as the head is retracted.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the carton-set-up apparatus which is shown by way ofillustrations in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a carton set-up machine WhlCh embodies theprincipal features of the invention;

2,700,922 Patented Feb. 1, 1955 ice Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sideelevation of the set-up machine;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken generally on the line3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal transverse section taken generally on the line4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig, 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the set-uphead;

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the feeding arm;

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of a carton in the collapsed condition inwhich it is positioned in the feeding compartment of the machine; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the carton in the set-upcondition in which it is discharged from the machine.

The Troyk type carton, which the present machine is particularly adaptedto manipulate or set up for use, is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. Thecarton is formed from a unitary paperboard blank, cut, creased orscored, folded and glued as hereinafter described. It is supplied to theuser in knocked-down condition as shown in Fig. 10.

The carton which is designated by the reference numeral 10 comprises arelatively narrow end panel or locking strip 11 extending across one endof the blank from which the carton is formed and having locking hooksalong its free edge. The locking strip 11 is bendable along transversescore line 12 with respect to a cover 13 which adjoins the same andwhich is bendable along a fold line 14 with respect to a rear wall 15.The rear wall 15 is bendable along a fold line 16 with respect to abottom forming panel 17, which is in turn bendable with respect tosubstantially duplicate bottom forming panel 18 along a medial crease orscore line 19. A row of inwardly directed openings 20 (Fig. 10) isformed along the juncture of the bottom forming panels 17 and 18 toreceive the transverse cell defining partitions 21 in the set-upcondition of the carton. A row of transversely spaced elongate openings22 are provided in the bottom forming panel 18, each of which is adaptedto receive a hooked end 23 of a transverse partition 21 of the erectedcarton. The bottom forming panel 17 is also provided with a row ofopenings 22 which are identical in size and location except for thecentral opening, indicated at 24, which is somewhat longer and whichtraverses fold line 16 a substantial distance into the rear wall 15(Fig. 10).

The openings in the two panels are in alignment in the folded conditionof the panels with the central opening 24 in the bottom panel 17extending at one end beyond the end of the somewhat shorter centralopening 22 in the bottom panel 18 so that a portion or area 25 of thebottom panel 18, which is the uppermost panel, is accessible through theopening 24 in the bottom panel 17, in the knocked-down condition of thecarton. This permits the spreading or opening up of the body of thecarton by the hereinafter described carton body spreading member duringthe operation of the machine.

The bottom forming panel 18 is foldable with respect to a front sidewall 26 along a fold line 27. A plurality of individual transversepartitions 21 are cut out as a unit from a panel extending between frontside wall forming panel 26 and a terminal glue strip 28, which latter isattached by adhesive or other similar fastening means to the innersurface of rear wall 15 to lie in face contacting engagement therewith.In the knocked-down condition of the carton the transverse partitions 21are folded along medial score line 29 to lie coplanar with and againstone another, forming a double ply of material. In setting up the carton,when the carton walls 15 and 26 spread apart, the transverse partitions21 open out into flat horizontal extending position between the Walls 15and 26, and are thereafter swingable from flat, coplanar relation tovertical relation between and normal to the side walls 15 and 26. Thelast named swinging occurs on opposed generally triangular hinge formingportions 30.

Each transverse partition 21 is provided at its outer end with opposedidentical hooks 31, which face each other, and which are adapted toengage in the slots 22 in the bottom wall forming panels 17 and 18.

In the erected condition of the carton 10, the bottom forming panels 17and 18 are folded on the median line 19 into inverted V formation toextend between thc hooks 31 (Fig. 11), of the spaced transversepartitions 21, forming a two-walled longitudinal partition whichcooperates with the transverse partitions 21 to divide the carton intotwo rows of cells. The medial portion above the opening between thehooks 31 of each transverse partition extends through the openingadjacent the juncture of the bottom panels 17 and 18 and the opposedhooks 31 extend through the openings 22 in the bottom panels 17 and 18,being firmly engaged therein and locked positively against withdrawal.

The machine of the present invention is adapted to erect cartons of thetype shown in Figs. 10 and 11, from the fully flattened out,knocked-down condition in which they have been shipped to users, asshown in Fig. 10, to the fully erected article receiving condition shownin Fig. 1].

The operating parts of the machine are mounted on an upright supportingbase or frame which comprises vertical corner post members 41terminating at top side rails 42, 43 and a top cross rail 44 whichconnects the side rails 42, 43 at one end of the frame and formstherewith a generally rectangular top supporting structure.

A magazine or hopper 45 for receiving a stack of knocked-down cartons ofthe type described herewith, is supported on the top structure of theframe. The magazine 45 comprises pairs of rear and front angle ironcorner uprights 46 and 47, respectively, both pairs of uprights beingsupported in a suitable manner on the end rail 44 and the side rails 42,43 with the uprights located or spaced in proper position to receive thestack of cartons. Longitudinally extending, laterally spaced elongateplates 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54 extend between the end cross rail44 and a cross rail 55 spaced toward the forward or discharge end of themachine, which plates form a floor or bottom for the magazine 45 andextend a substantial distance forwardly of the same. The bottom cartonblank rests on the top of the plates, all of the latter having theirupper surfaces in the same horizontal plane. A bracket 56 at the rearend of the magazine holds the cartons in an inclined position tofacilitate the feeding of the bottom carton, the carton blanks beingarranged with the bottom wall panels 17 in the downwardly facingposition. Successive bottom cartons are fed from the magazine 45 in aforward direction by a reciprocating feed mechanism.

The collapsed carton feed mechanism comprises four longitudinallyextending bars 57, 57 and 58, 58 which are secured to a transverselyextending carrier or cross tie plate 60. The feed bars 57, 57 and 58, 58are arranged in parallel edgewise supported relation on the cross plate60 for reciprocating movement in the spaces between the support plates49, 50, 51, 52, 53. The plate 60 is secured to a central reciprocatingbracket member 61 which is provided with an elongate internal borereceiving a guide bar 62 which extends longitudinally of the center ofthe supporting frame 40 and is attached at its ends to the rear crossrail 44 and the forward cross rail 55. The carrier bracket 61 isreciprocated on the guide rod 62 by a properly timed operated mechanismwhich will be subsequently described.

The center feed bars 57. 57 are identical and each carries aspring-pressed feed finger 63. The outer feed bars 58, 58 are alsoidentical and each carries a feed finger 64. As shown in Fig. 9, feedfinger 64 is mounted in a longitudinal slot 65 in the forward end of thebar 58 by a pivot pin 66 at the forward end of bar 58 and is urged incounter-clockwise direction by a wire spring 67 secured at one end tothe bar 58 and extending at the other end beneath the feed finger 64 atthe rearward end thereof. The feed finger 64 is provided with anabutment forming portion 68 extending upwardly of the portion rearwardlyof pivot 66, which is adapted to engage in a slot 22 in the bottom wallforming panel 17 of the bottom carton in the magazine 45 on the forwardmovement of the feed mechanism. The finger 64 is provided at its forwardextremity with a forwardly opening generally V-shaped abutment member 69for a purpose which will be described subsequently. The fingers 64 onthe outer feed bars 58 are identical while the feed fingers 63 on theinner feed bars 57 are of the same construction except for the abutmentformation 69 on the forward extremity which is omitted therefrom.

As the individual cartons are advanced or fed forwardly from the bottomof the magazine 45, they are held in flattened relation on the bars 48,49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 by a pair of spring clamp members 70 (Figs. 1 and2) which extend forwardly and downwardly of a cross plate 71 on thefront wall of the magazine 45, the clamp members 70 being attached, atthe one end thereof, to the cross plate 71 above the top support plates50, 52. The carton is fed forwardly and held in flat condition by thesprings 70 until it reaches a predetermined point where the forwardmovement is interrupted by engagement with a plurality of oscillatingarms 72. The arms 72 have a hook-like abutment formation 73 on the ends(Figs. 1 and 5) which engage the advancing carton. The arms 72 aresecured to a cross shaft 74 which extends between the top side rails 42,43 and which is provided at one end with an operating arm 75 connectedto an operating mechanism which will be described sub sequently. Thehook portions 73 of the arms 72 are movable upwardly above the top ofthe supporting frame 40 and provide abutment stops against which theforward edge of the knocked-down carton engages.

A central carton spreading finger 76 (Figs. 3 and 5) is arranged to moveupwardly in proper timed relation to the movement of the fingers 72, themovement of the former lagging somewhat the upward movement of thefingers 72. The spreading finger 76, which is curved and moves in acurved path, is connected at its lower end to the end of an operatinglink member 77. The link member 77 is pivoted at the other end on arelatively short fixed supporting shaft 78 which extends between theside frame rail 42 and an inwardly extending bracket 79 mounted on thetop cross rail 44. The link member 77 is provided with a cam roller 80which is held in engagement by means of tension spring 81 with a cam 82on cross shaft 83, which constitutes the main cam shaft of the machine.The finger 76 is moved upwardly in proper timed relation to the movementof the carton feed mechanism and the stop arms or fingers 72 to bringthe end of the finger 76 through the aperture 24 in the bottom wallforming panel 17 of the blank and into engagement with the area 25 ofthe wall forming panel 18. Operation of the spreading finger 76 causeswall 26 to move upwardly in relation to the wall 15, bringing the cartoninto the position shown in Fig. 5 so that the cross partition formingpanels may be properly engaged against an oscillating head 84 on whichthe carton is adapted to be supported for the remainder of thesetting-up operatlons.

The carton supporting head 84 is mounted for oscillating movement in apath above the top of the supporting frame 40. It is attached at itsends to generally vertically side arm members 85 and 86, each of whichis pivoted to a cross shaft 87 supported in suitable bearings 87 at thebase of the machine. The vertical arm members 85, 86 are provided withcam rollers 88, 88' engaging in operative relation with the cams 89 and90 on opposite ends of the main cam shaft 83. The head 84 is oscillatedor reciprocated by the earns 89 and 90 in timed relation to the movementof the other folding or setting-up instrumentalities on the frame 40.Tension springs 85' and 86' secured at one end to the arm members 85 and86 and at the other end to the frame 40 hold the cam rollers 88, 88 inengagement with the cams 89 and 90.

The set-up head 84 comprises a generally rectangular frame 91 secured atits sides or ends to the top portions of arms 85, 86 and having upperand lower frame bars 92 and 93 between which there is pivotally mounteda plurality of cross partition folding leaves 94 which are arranged inspaced relation across the width of the head 84, with the number ofleaves 94 being determined by the number of cross partitions in thecarton which is being set-up by the machine. The leaves 94 are of thesame general shape as the partitions which they are adapted to operateupon but somewhat smaller in size. Each of the leaves 94 is supportedbetween the frame bars 92 and 93 on a pivoted shaft 95 and each leafcarries, intermediate its top and bottom edges, a radially projectingforked lug 96 which is pivotally connected to an actuating bar 97extending cross-wise of the head in approximately the center thereof. At

one side of the leaves 94 adjacent the pivoted support therefor there isarranged a pair of fixed folders or abutment members 98 which extendforwardly of the top and bottom bars 92 and 93. 't he fixed foldingmembers 98 cooperate with the folding leaves 94 and also initiate orstart the folding of the cross partitions 21. The leaves 94 extendoutwardly and forwardly of the head 84 at an angle to the abutmentmembers 98 and are adapted to be moved toward the abutment members 98 tocomplete the erection of the cross partition members and to engage thehooked ends 23 thereof in the apertures 22 in the bottom walls 17 and 18when the carton is completely erected. All of the plates 94 aresimultaneously operated by movement of the cross actuating bar 97 withwhich they are all pivotally connected. Two of the leaf supporting pivotbars 95 are extended at the top and carry on the extended ends 99thereof operating arms 100 which are rotated upon movement of the head84 by springs 101. The springs 101 are connected at the one end 102 tothe outer ends of the arms 100 and at the other end 103 to the frontcross plate member 71 on the supply magazine 45 for the carton blanks.The head 84 is provided, on the upper surface of the top cross bar 92,with a guide or guard plate 104 which forms an abutment for limiting theupward movement of the side wall panel 26 as the carton is moved intosetup position on the head 84.

As the head 84 is moved forwardly from the position shown in Fig. 5 tothe position shown in Fig. 6, the fingers 72, which have held the cartonagainst forward movement up to this point, and the central tuckingfinger 76, move in the counterclockwise direction out of engagement withthe carton. As the fingers 72 recede a plurality of lifting fingers orarms 105 are moved up into engagement with the carton. The fingers 105are 1 frame at the forward end of the machine.

mounted on a cross shaft 106 and each is provided with Y a V-shapedrecess 107 ad acent the end for engaging the bottom panels 17 and 18 ofthe carton adjacent the score line 19. The cross shaft 106 is rotated inproper timed relation by means of a crank arm 108 secured at one end tothe shaft and at the other end pivotally connected to one end of thelink 109, the latter being in'turn pivotally connected at its other endto the upper end of a vertically extending oscillating arm 110. The arm110 is pivotally mounted at its lower end on the cross shaft 87 and isprovided with a cam roller 111 in engagement with a cam 112 on the camshaft 83. A tension spring 110' connected at one end to the arm 110 andat the other end to a fixed portion of the frame holds the cam roller111 in engagement with the cam 112.

As the head 84 moves forwardly into engagement with the partiallyopened-out carton which is being lifted towards the head 84 by theoperation of the arms the cross partition folding plates 94 are pivotedinto position normal to the front face of the frame 91 to bring thecross partition members 21 about the hinges 30 into position forinsertion of the hooked ends thereof into the slots 22 in the bottomwall members 17 and 18. As the fingers 105 carry the carton intoengagement with the head 84 a plurality of bottom tucking or erectingfingers 114 move upwardly towards the position shown in Fig. 7. Thetucking fingers 114 comprise the upper legs of generally U-shaped bodymembers 115 having the other legs 116 thereof attached at their ends toa cross shaft 117. The cross shaft 117 is supported in side brackets 118depending from the side frame members 42 and 43 and is rotated oroscillated by a crank arm 119 secured to the shaft 117 at one end and atthe other end pivotally connected to one end of a link member 120. Thelink member 120 is pivotally connected at its other end to the upper endof a generally vertically extending oscillating arm 121 which issupported at its lower end on the cross shaft 87 and provided with a camroller 122 which is held in engagement with the operating cam 123 on thecam shaft 83 by tension spring 121'. In the retracted position, thetucking fingers 114 are beneath the top surface of the frame 40. As thesupporting shaft 117 is rotated clockwise the tucking fingers 114 moveinto engagement with the bottom panels 17, 18 of the carton along theline 19 and carry the bottom panels 17 and 18 into final position withthe hook portions 31 of the cross partition members 21 engaged in'theapertures or slots 22. Thereafter the tucking fingers 114 immediatelyretract and move beneath the top surface of the frame to permit thecarton, which is now fully erected, to be discharged from the machine.

When the carton is released by the fingers 72 and started by movement ofthe lifting arms 105 toward the head 84 the feeding fingers for theblanks begin their retracting movement to pick up the next succeedingblank. The feeding fingers 63, 64 are swung down out of feeding positionas they move back into position beneath the next succeeding carton inthe bottom of the stack. As the fingers 63, 64 reach fully retractedposition the abutment portions 68 thereof are moved by the springs 67into the slots 22 for the forward feeding movement. As the feedingmechanism moves forwardly on the feeding stroke the V-shaped portions 69on the ends of the feeding fingers 64 engage the trailing edge of thepreceding carton, which has been erected on the head 84, and move itforwardly out of engagement with the head 84. At this point the head 84begins to retract and releases the set up carton, the partition foldingwings 94 being pulled into normal position as shown in Fig. 1 by theactuating bar 97 which is urged toward its retracted position by atension spring 124 connected to one end of the actuating bar 97 and tothe post 125 on the upper end of the side member 85. As the set upcarton moves forwardly it is ejected onto a delivery mechanism indicatedat 126 by a plurality of laterally spaced ejecting fingers 127 (Fig. 3)which are mounted on a sleeve 128 on a cross shaft or bar 129 whichextends between the uprights 41 of the The supporting sleeve 128 for theejecting fingers 127 is operated by a cam arm 130 connected to one endof the link 131 which is in turn connected at its other end to one arm132 of a bell crank which is rotatably mounted on the power shaft 133(Fig. 4) and which carries on the end of the other arm 134 a cam roller135 for engagement with the operating cam 136 on the cam shaft 83. Atension spring 132', connected at one end to the arm 132 and at theother end to the frame 40 holds the cam roller 135 in engagement withthe cam 136. The ejecting or kick-off members 127 are each provided witha hooklike end 137 which is adapted to engage the trailing edge of thecarton and move it onto a discharge conveyor 138 in the discharge chute126. The conveyor 138 is driven by a sprocket 139 on the cross shaft129. The cross shaft 129 is rotated by means of a sprocket 140, at oneend of the shaft 129, which is in turn driven by sprocket 141 on thepower shaft 133 and connecting chain 142. The power shaft 133 is mountedin end bearing blocks 143 which are supported on longitudinallyextending laterally spaced supporting rails 144 forming part of the mainframe. The power shaft 133 is driven by a pulley 145 and belt 146connecting with a motor pulley 147 on the motor 148 which is supportedon the base of the frame beneath the shaft 133.

The power shaft 133 (Fig. 4) is connected by drive gears 149 and 150with the cam shaft 83, which also extends crosswise of the machine, and.is journaled in suitable bearings 151 supported on the rails 144.

The cam 89 on the end of cam shaft 83 (Fig. 2) is connected by a link152 and an arm 153 to the bottom cross shaft 154 which is supported insuitable bearings 155 on the base of the frame. The rock shaft 154carries an upright arm 156 which is pivotally connected at 157 to thebracket 61 for operating the carton blank feed mechanism. The rock shaft154 also carries the arm 158 (Fig. 3) which is pivotally connected tothe lower end of link 159, the upper end of the latter being pivotallyconnected to the arm 75 for oscillating the shaft 74.

The discharge mechanism 126 has not been shown or described in detailbecause the exact structure employed may be varied considerably.Preferably, two or more inclined guide bars 160 are arranged at thedischarge end of the machine to facilitate delivery of the set-upcartons in a direction forwardly from the set-up head to the dischargemechanism 126.

While the machine as illustrated is adapted to operate on a 2 x 6paperboard carton in which there is provided a total of seven crosspartition members which are movable into partition forming relation inthe same direction, it will be understood that the machine may bemodified by suitable changes in the set-up head and the direction ofmovement of certain of the folding plates 94 to set up a carton in whichthe cross partition members are not all movable into position in thesame direction, as is the case with a divided or divisible carton inwhich half of the partition members are movable into position from theopposite direction. Also the number of feeding fingers for removing thelowermost carton out of the stack may be varied and located so as tofeed a carton of somewhat different character. All that is required isthat suitable apertures be provided in the wall of the carton to receivethe feeding fingers and permit the lowermost carton to be movedforwardly out of the stack the required distance to bring it into set-upposition in front of the head 84. Likewise the number and location ofthe folding or lifting and tucking fingers may be varied depending onthe specific construction of the carton which is being set up.

While specific details of construction have been referred to indescribing the illustrated form of the invention it will be understoodthat other details of construction may be resorted to within the spiritof the invention.

I claim:

1. Mechanism for setting up a collapsed cellular paperboard carton whichcarton is characterized by a connected series of panels adapted to beerected into container side and bottom wall forming members and crosspartition forming members foldable out of the plane of a top wall paneland into interlocking engagement with the bottom wall forming members,means for advancing successive cartons in flattened collapsed conditioninto a set-up zone, a set-up head mounted for oscillation into and outof the set-up zone above the path of movement of the collapsed carton,said head having movable cross partition folding plates, oscillatingstop members movable into the set-up zone and engageable with theleading edge of the successive collapsed cartons as they are advancedinto said zone, cooperating oscillating carton expanding means movableupwardly from beneath the path of movement of the collapsed cartonthrough an opening in a downwardly facing wall of the carton to engageand move upwardly therefrom the opposite upwardly facing wall thereofwhereby to separate the side wall forming members of the carton andposition the top wall panel for engagement with the oscillating head asthe latter moves into said set-up zone, and an oscillating carton bottomtucking finger movable into engagement with the partially set-up cartonalong a line coinciding with the leading edge thereof to move the bottomwall forming members toward the head and into final set-up position, thehead having means for moving the cross partition folding plates intopartition folding relation as the head moves forwardly.

' 2. Mechanism for setting up a collapsed cellular paperboard cartonwhich carton is characterized by a connected series of panels adapted tobe erected into container side and bottom forming members and crosspartition members foldable out of the plane of a top wall panel and intointerlocking engagement with the bottom wall members, a magazine forreceiving a stack of the collapsed cartons, oscillating feed mechanismhaving pivoted fingers engageable with the lowermost carton in themagazine to move said carton forwardly thereof in a predetermined pathinto a set-up zone, a set-up head mounted for oscillation between themagazine and the set-up zone above the path of movement of said carton,said head having cross partition folding plates, oscillating stopmembers movable into the path of movement of the carton and engageablewith the leading edge of the collapsed carton, cooperating oscillatingcarton expanding means movable upwardly through an opening in adownwardly facing wall of the carton to engage and move upwardlytherefrom the opposite upwardly facing wall of the collapsed cartonwhereby to separate the side walls of the carton and position the topwall for engagement with the oscillating head as the latter moves in theforward direction and an oscillating bottom tucking finger engageablewith the partially set-up carton along a line coinciding with theleading edge thereof to move the bottom wall panels toward the head andinto final set-up position, the head having means for moving the crosspartition folding plates into partition folding relation as the headmoves forwardly.

3. Mechanism for setting up a collapsed cellular paperboard carton whichcarton is characterized by a connected series of panels adapted to beerected into container side and bottom wall forming members and crosspartition members foldable out of the plane of a top wall panel and intointerlocking engagement with the bottom wall members, a magazine forreceiving a stack of the collapsed cartons, oscillating feed mechanismbeneath said magazine having pivoted fingers engageable with thelowermost carton in the magazine to move said carton forwardly thereofinto a set-up zone, a set-up head mounted for oscillating between saidmagazine and the set-up zone above the path of movement of said carton,said head having cross partition folding plates, stop members movableinto the path of movement of the carton and engageable with the leadingedge of the collapsed carton, cooperating carton expanding means movablethrough an opening in a downwardly facing wall of the carton to engageand move upwardly therefrom the opposite upwardly facing wall of thecollapsed carton whereby to separate the side walls of the carton andposition the top wall for engagement with the oscillating head as thelatter moves in the forward direction, and a movable bottom tuckingfinger adapted to be positioned for engaging with the partially set-upcarton along a line coinciding with the leading edge thereof to move thebottom wall panels toward the set-up head and into final set-upposition, said set-up head having means for automatically moving thecross partition folding plates into partition folding relation as thehead moves forwardly.

4. Mechanism for setting up a collapsed cellular paperboard carton whichcarton is characterized by a connected series of panels adapted to beerected into container side and bottom wall forming members and crosspartition members foldable out of the plane of a top wall panel and intointerlocking engagement with the bottom wall members, means to advancethe cartons into a set-up zone, a set-up head mounted for oscillatingbetween said magazine and the set-up zone, said head having a series ofpivoted cross partition folding plates, oscillating stop members movableupwardly into the path of movement of the cartons and engageable withthe leading edge of successive cartons, cooperating oscillating cartonexpanding means movable through an opening in a downwardly facing wallof the carton to engage and move upwardly therefrom the oppositeupwardly facing wall thereof whereby to separate the side walls of thecarton and position the top wall for engagement with the oscillatinghead as the latter moves in the forward direction, and an oscillatingbottom tucking finger mounted for engaging with the partially set-upcarton along a line coinciding with the leading edge thereof to move thebottom wall panels toward the set-up head and into final set-upposition, the head having spring means for moving the cross partitionfolding plates into partition folding relation as the head movesforwardly.

5. Mechanism for setting up a collapsed cellular paperboard carton whichcarton is characterized by a connected series of panels adapted to beerected into side and bottom wall forming members and cross partitionmembers foldable out of the plane of a top wall panel and intointerlocking engagement with the bottom wall members, a. supportingframe, a magazine at one end of said frame for receiving a stack of thecartons in collapsed condition, reciprocating feed mechanism havingpivoted fingers engageable with the lowermost carton in the magazine toadvance said carton forwardly thereof above said supporting frame, aset-up head mounted for reciprocation between the magazine and the otherend of said supporting frame, said head having pivotally mounted crosspartition folding plates, reciprocating stop members movabletransversely of the path of movement of the advancing carton andengageable with the leading edge thereof to interrupt the forwardmovement of said carton, reciproeating expanding means movableupwardly'through an opening in a downwardly facing wall of the collapsedcarton to engage and move upwardly therefrom the opposite upwardlyfacing wall of the carton whereby to separate the side walls of thecarton and position the top wall connecting said side wall forengagement with the reciprocating head as the latter moves in theforward direction, a. reciprocating bottom tucking finger mounted forengaging with the partially set-up carton along the leading edge thereofto move the bottom wall panels toward the head and into final set-upposition, and means for pivoting the cross partition folding plates intopartition folding relation as the head moves forwardly.

6. A machine for setting up cellular paperboard cartons, said cartonsbeing characterized by a series of connected panel members which aremovable into side and bottom wall formations and cross partition membersfoldable out of the plane of a top wall panel member and intointerlocking engagement with the bottom wall members, said machinecomprising a supporting frame, a magazine at one end of said frame forreceiving a stack of the cartons in partially folded condition, meansfor advancing successive cartons edgewise from beneath the magazine, aset-up head mounted for reciprocating movement above said frame, meansfor advancing each carton beneath said set-up head and along the top ofsaid supporting frame, a plurality of reciprocating fingers mounted onsaid supporting frame for arresting the forward movement of eachsuccessive carton, for separating the side wall members and for movingthe carton side and bottom wall members into set-up position on saidset-up head, said set-up head having means for moving the crosspartition members into position for interlocking engagement with saidbottom wall members as said set-up head advances to receive a carton andmeans to deliver the set-up carton forwardly of said set-up head whilesaid set-up head returns to its initial position.

7. A machine for setting up cellular paperboard cartons, said cartonsbeing characterized by a series of connected panel members which aremovable into side and bottom wall formations and cross partition membersfoldable out of the plane of a top wall panel member and intointerlocking engagement with the bottom wall members, said machinecomprising an upright supporting frame, a magazine at one end of saidframe for receiving a stack of the cartons in partially foldedcondition, a set-up head adjacent said magazine mounted forreciprocating movement above said frame, means for advancing successivecartons edgewise from the bottom of said magazine, beneath said set-uphead and along the top of said supporting frame, oscillating fingersmounted on said supporting frame for engaging each successive carton,for separating the side wall members and for moving the carton side andbottom wall members into set-up position and onto said set-up head,pivoted folding platemembers on said set-up head for moving the crosspartition members into position for interlocking engagement with saidbottom wall members as said set-up head advances and receives a cartonthereon and means on said carton advancing means to deliver the set-upcarton from said set-up head.

8. A machine for setting up cellular paperboard cartons, said cartonsbeing characterized by a series of connected panel members which aremovable into side and bottom wall formations and cross partition membersfoldable out of the plane of a top wall panel member and intointerlocking engagement with the bottom wall members,

said machine comprising a supporting frame, a magazine at one end ofsaid frame for receiving a stack of the cartons in partially foldedcondition, means for advancing successive cartons edgewise from beneaththe magazine, a set-up head mounted for reciprocating movement abovesaid carton advancing means and along the top of said supporting frame,a plurality of movable fingers mounted on said supporting frame forinterrupting the forward movement of each successive carton, forseparating the side wall members and for moving the carton side andbottom wall members into set-up position and onto said set-up head,swingable plates pivotally mounted on said set-up head for moving thecross partition members into position for interlocking engagement withsaid bottom wall members, spring actuated means for simultaneouslyswinging said plates to move said cross partition members as said set-uphead advances and receives a carton and means on said carton advancingmeans to deliver the set-up carton from said set-up head as the latterreturns to its initial position.

9. A machine for setting up cellular paperboard cartons, said cartonsbeing characterized by a series of connected panel members which aremovable into side and bottom wall formations and cross partition membersfoldable out of the plane of a top wall panel member and intointerlocking engagement with the bottom wall members, said machinecomprising a supporting frame, a magazine at one end of said frame forreceiving a. supply of the cartons in partially folded condition, meansfor advancing successive cartons edgewise from beneath the magazine, aset-up head mounted on upright side arms for oscillating movement abovesaid frame and said carton advancing means, oscillating fingers mountedon said supporting frame for halting the forward movement of eachsuccessive carton, for separating the side wall members and for movingthe carton side and bottom wall members into set-up position on saidset-up head, pivotally mounted plates on said set-up head, 'springconnecting means between said plates and said magazine operative to movesaid plates to engage the cross partition members and move them intointerlocking engagement with said bottom wall members as said set-uphead advances and receives a carton thereon and means to deliver theset-up carton from said set-up head as the latter returns to :itsinitial position.

10. A machine for setting up cellular paperboard cartons which cartonsare characterized by a series of connected panel members which aremovable into side and bottom wall formations and cross partition membersfoldable out of the plane of a top wall panel member and intointerlocking engagement with the bottom wall members, said machinecomprising a supporting frame, a'rnagazine at one end of said frame forreceiving a stack of the cartons in partially folded condition,reciprocating carton feeding fingers for advancing successive cartonsedgewise from beneath the magazine, a set-up head mounted forreciprocating movement above said frame, said feeding fingers advancingeach carton beneath said set-up head and along the top of saidsupporting frame, movable hook members mounted on said supporting framefor engaging each successive carton, movable means for separating theside wall members and for moving the carton side and bottom Wall membersinto set-up position on said set-up head, folding plates pivotallymounted on said set-up head for engaging the cross partition members andmov ing the same into interlocking engagement with said bottom membersas said set-up head advances to receive a carton and pusher elements onsaid carton feeding fingers for engaging the set-up carton to advancethe same as said set-up head returns to its initial position.

11. A machine for setting up cellular paperboard cartons which cartonsare characterized by a series of connected panel members which aremovable into side and bottom wall formations and cross partition membersfoldable out of the plane of a top wall panel member and intointerlocking engagement with the bottom wall members, said machinecomprising a supporting frame, means at one end of said frame forsupplying the cartons in partially folded condition, means for advancingsuccessive cartons edgewise in a predetermined path across the top ofsaid frame, a set-up head mounted on said frame for reciprocatingmovement in a path above the path of said cartons, a plurality offingers movably mounted on said supporting frame beneath the topthereof, means for moving said fingers upwardly into the path ofmovement of said cartons to temporarily arrest the forward movement ofeach successive carton, to separate the side wall members of the cartonand position the carton with said side and bottom wall members in set-upcondition on said set-up head, swingable folders on said set-up head formoving the cross partition members into position for interlockingengagement with said bottom members as said set-up head advances and acarton is positioned thereon and means responsive to forward movement ofsaid set-up head to swing said folders into partition engaging relationas the carton is positioned thereon, said fingers being retractablebelow the top of said frame to permit continuous forward movement of thecarton after it is set 'up and discharge thereof from the other end ofthe machine.

12. In a machine for setting up cellular cartons, which cartons are eachformed from a paperboard blank cut and creased to provide connected sideand bottom walls and a plurality of cross partition members foldable outof the plane of a top panel connecting opposite side walls, said blankbeing initially folded to bring the wall forming portions thereof intopartially assembled collapsed condition, a main supporting frame, acarton supporting frame mounted for reciprocation above the top of saidmain frame and having cross partition folding means movably mountedthereon, means for delivering successive collapsed cartons beneath saidset-up head and into position in advance of said carton supportingframe, a plurality of folding members movable upwardly from a positionbeneath the top of said frame and into engagement-with wall formingportions of each successive carton whereby to move the successivecartons into erected position and onto said carton supporting frame assaid carton supporting frame is advanced over said main frame and meansfor automatically moving said partition folding means into partitionengaging relation while saidcarton supporting frame is advancing andreceiving a carton in set-up position thereon, said folding membersbeing retractable beneath the top of said main frame to permit theset-up carton to advance over the top of said main frame to a dischargeposition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

